Normal signal or not????

lumbergirl 59 · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:10 pm Post subject: Normal signal or not????

Hi, I am new here, also not very computer illiterate. I live in zip code 49887, an area where the only type of internet available is dial-up. I just purchased a alltel UTStarcom UM150 and hooked it up. It is a little faster than the dial-up, but not much. My question is am I expecting too much, what should I be getting for a signal, and if I need other equipment to better my signal, what would that be?? Here is my Quickling Mobile info:
RSSI -90dBm
Capabilities 1xEVDO(REV-A)Digital Data, NDIS

sometimes it will read as follows:
RSSI (1xRTT) -90dBm
RSSI (1xEVDO) -114dBm
Capabilities 1xEVDO (Rev-A) Digital Data, NDIS
Most often the first than the second set of info.
Please help me Confused

taxmantoo · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:44 pm Post subject: Re: Normal signal or not????

lumbergirl 59 · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:56 pm Post subject:

Yes, I can get my son's laptop and do that, what will that do?

lumbergirl 59 · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 1:11 pm Post subject:

Yes, I can get my son's laptop and do that, what will that do?

Bigdave · EVDO Addict Joined: 08 Nov 2006 Posts: 1069

No real reason to drive around with the laptop at this point. Use the laptop and move around in your house to find the "sweet spot" where you get the best signal. Remember you want to see the RSSI move towards the low -70dBm range meaning your signal is getting stronger. Once you find the sweet spot inside then, if it's still above -85dBm or so, try going outside and seeing what kind of signal you can get.

You're obviously getting an EVDO signal so the next move is to get the strongest signal possible, Come back and let us know what readings you get. With more info either an antenna and/or a router may be needed to optimize the performance of your new card. (Also, remember to give it a couple of minutes to refresh the RSSI after each move to a new location. It doesn't register instantly.)

Don't get frustrated with it yet! Sometimes it's a bit of a journey to get it working optimally but it's well worth it to be able to get high speed internet in some very rural areas where there may never be DSL or cable.

Good luck!

lumbergirl 59 · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 5:19 pm Post subject:

Thanks a bunch, I will do that tomorrow, my son is out of town till tomorrow night (with his laptop Wink

) So as soon as he is home I will do what you say and then on Friday come back with the results. Thankyou so much for your help Surprised

lumbergirl 59 · Posted: Thu Mar 06, 2008 8:40 pm Post subject:

Ok, we tried moving all over our home with the laptop and then around our yard (about one acre) the numbers did not change at all. So what do I do now? Rolling Eyes

Bigdave · EVDO Addict Joined: 08 Nov 2006 Posts: 1069

Try running some speed tests at www.speakeasy.net/speedtest and also at www.speedtest.net and post your results. Looks like all you may need is a booster antenna.

crystalterrie · EVDO User Joined: 12 Jan 2008 Posts: 36

This may seem a bit obvious, but when I was trying to find my best signal, I would have to click out of the "about QLM" screen and then click back into it at each location to get the numbers to refresh. The numbers didn't refresh right before my eyes with the screen open.

The reason I bring this up is, my signal varies greatly from wall to wall in my home, so it seemed odd to me that you could traverse your whole house and an acre of yard and have no change whatsoever.

Bigdave · EVDO Addict Joined: 08 Nov 2006 Posts: 1069

Very good point! I was thinking the same thing that mine varies when I simply turn while standing in the same spot so. . . . . good catch. While there is a live mode, the one under "Abot QLM" is static.

crystalterrie · EVDO User Joined: 12 Jan 2008 Posts: 36

Bigdave · EVDO Addict Joined: 08 Nov 2006 Posts: 1069

lumbergirl 59 · Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 6:01 pm Post subject:

When saying that the RSSI did not change, I meant in a positive way. The strongest signal I seem to be getting is where I now have my computer. I am now trying those tests at the two different sites you referred me to. I will post as soon as I have the results. Thanks greatly for all the help.

lumbergirl 59 · Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 6:12 pm Post subject:

Ok, at the Speakeasy site, it kept saying they could not match the zip code to my address.
At the speedtest site, I clicked on Iron Moutain, MI tower which is about 35 miles from us and here are the results:
133 kbps
84 kbps
ping: 1072 ms
Distance: 800 miles

What should I do now??? Smile

lumbergirl 59 · Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2008 6:15 pm Post subject:

When saying that the RSSI did not change, I meant in a positive way. The strongest signal I seem to be getting is where I now have my computer. I am now trying those tests at the two different sites you referred me to. I will post as soon as I have the results. Thanks greatly for all the help.